Mark Steele has found out about the benefits of volunteering with ETEC.

Mark volunteered as a tutor in ETEC’s construction trades’ centre for five months. His hard work and persistence were rewarded with a full-time job.

Mark came to ETEC to develop his skills and gain experience by teaching young people construction skills. Supporting the work of ETEC’s full-time co-ordinators, Mark gained a reputation as a capable and enthusiastic volunteer, who wanted to pass on his skills on to a new generation of workers.

Now Mark is employed as a Construction Routeway Tutor on ETEC’s busiest training programme – Entry to Employment (E2E.)

Mark said: “I am delighted to have got the job as Construction Routeway Tutor. "Teaching young adults is something, which I have always wanted to do, and  

volunteering at ETEC has given me the opportunity to do this."

Mark worked as a bricklayer prior to studying towards his A1 trowel trades’ assessor qualification.

Neil Gibbon, ETEC’s Community Construction Manager, said: "Mark’s progression from volunteer to full-time member of staff shows that experience gained in the voluntary sector is never wasted when candidates are applying for paid employment. ETEC will now help Mark to develop his teaching skills further and support him in his chosen career."

ETEC’s Construction Routeway is part of the development trust’s E2E programme. It enables learners to gain practical skills and experience in a wide range of construction areas including painting and decorating, joinery, bricklaying, plastering, tiling and plumbing.

A SUNDERLAND man has found out about the value of volunteering with ETEC.

Ian Cronin, 50, of Hendon, Sunderland, was long-term unemployed when he began to volunteer for ETEC’s Tool and Paint Bank. Now he has gained a part-time job – thanks to ETEC’s involvement with the Government’s new Future Jobs Fund.

Ian previously worked in the tourist industry in Portugal’s Algarve for more than 11 years before returning to this home town. But after returning home for personal reasons, he felt he needed a fresh challenge and a stepping stone back into paid employment.

Ian began volunteering with the Tool and Paint Banks in August 2009. As a result of his efforts, ETEC has made vital links with managers of social housing and housing associations, local businesses and residents’ associations.

Ian has also distributed promotional material and flyers on the resource to people in the Back on the Map area, of Sunderland, who are eligible to join the Tool and Paint Bank.

He impressed managers so much by his hard work that he now has a part-time job administering and promoting the community resource. 

Neil Gibbon, ETEC Construction’s Manager, said: "Ian Cronin is the ideal volunteer co-ordinator for our community Tool and Paint Bank venture. Ian is a self-starter with a wealth of experience and enthusiasm. He has lots of innovative ideas and engages very well with clients and staff."

As well as gaining experience as a volunteer with ETEC, Ian has access to systems and support to help him find a job while not in paid employment.

The Paint and Tool Banks aim to help revitalise homes and community buildings in the Back on the Map area, of Sunderland. Residents and community groups can gain joint, free membership to both schemes when they enrol.

Members of the Paint Bank can buy tins of emulsion and gloss at reduced costs. They can also donate unused tins of paint to be re-used and recycled in their neighbouring decorating projects.

The Tool Bank gives members the chance to hire joinery, bricklaying and gardening equipment free of charge. Capital investment for the Paint Bank was provided by Back on the Map, enabling ETEC to purchase racking, a storage container and stock.